The White Tower – James Ramsey Ullman – 1945 Second Impression – J. B. Lippincott Hardcover

A classic 1945 mountaineering adventure novel, The White Tower by James Ramsey Ullman follows a group of climbers who come together during wartime to attempt an ascent of a formidable, previously unclimbed mountain in the Swiss Alps.

This copy is the J. B. Lippincott Company hardcover edition, copyright 1945, and the photographed copyright page specifically identifies it as a “Second Impression.” The book is printed in the United States and contains 479 pages. Bibliographic records confirm the original 1945 Lippincott publication and 479-page pagination.

The book is particularly attractive to collectors of vintage mountaineering literature, classic adventure fiction, mid-century books, and illustrated vintage hardcovers. One of its most distinctive features is the dramatic full-color illustrated mountain endpaper artwork, which gives the book considerably more visual appeal than an ordinary vintage novel.

Ullman's novel was a significant commercial success: The White Tower appeared on the 1945 New York Times bestseller list, reaching No. 3 on the December 2, 1945 list and remaining on the list for 12 weeks at that point.

The novel was later adapted into a 1950 motion picture, further establishing it as one of Ullman's best-known works.

Details

• Title: The White Tower
• Author: James Ramsey Ullman
• Publication Year: 1945
• Edition/Impression: Second Impression
• Publisher: J. B. Lippincott Company
• Publication Location: Philadelphia and New York
• Format: Hardcover
• Binding: Dark blue/black cloth-covered boards with gold lettering and blue decorative detailing
• Language: English
• Pages: 479
• Copyright: 1945 by James Ramsey Ullman
• Printing Statement: Printed in the United States of America
• Text: Complete and unabridged, as stated on the copyright page
• Endpapers: Illustrated in full color with dramatic alpine/mountain artwork
• Subject: Mountaineering, adventure fiction, climbing, Alpine fiction, wartime fiction
• Era: 1940s
• Country of Publication: United States
• Country of Origin: United States — confirmed by the book's printed statement, “Printed in the United States of America,” and the U.S. Lippincott publication information.
• ISBN: None — this 1945 edition predates the ISBN system
• Included: One vintage hardcover copy of The White Tower

The 1945 Lippincott edition is documented as a 479-page hardcover, and contemporary bibliographic records specifically identify the U.S. publisher as J. B. Lippincott Company. 

Condition: New

Please note that “New Condition” here refers to the shop's listing standard and is not intended to suggest that this is a newly published book. This is an authentic 1945 vintage hardcover, and the photographs clearly show age-related handling and wear consistent with an approximately 80-year-old book.

The dark blue/black cloth binding remains attractive, with the gold THE WHITE TOWER lettering clearly visible on the front and spine. The binding appears intact, and the interior pages remain present and readable.

There is, however, noticeable wear to the top of the spine, including fraying/loss at the upper edge. The cover also shows surface rubbing and age-related wear. The pages have naturally aged and show some toning consistent with the book's age.

The illustrated endpapers are particularly striking, featuring a colorful alpine mountain scene with a dramatic peak, mountain hut, rocks, and a small aircraft.

The photographs also show a previous-owner memorial/dedication page reading “To the memory of A. F. U. and W. I. F.” This is part of the actual book and is not being represented as a signed or author-inscribed copy.

The photos are part of the description and represent the actual item being offered.

Styling

Styling: This is an especially attractive book for anyone who appreciates the look and character of vintage mid-century hardcovers.

The exterior has a wonderfully restrained design: a nearly black/dark navy cloth cover, elegant gold lettering, and thin blue decorative lines. The spine carries the title and author's name in gold, giving it a classic bookshelf appearance.

The real visual highlight is inside.

The full-color illustrated endpapers depict an enormous snow-covered mountain landscape, with alpine peaks, a small mountain shelter, rocky terrain, and an airplane crossing the scene. The artwork creates an almost cinematic introduction to the novel and makes this copy appealing not only as a reading copy but also as a decorative vintage book.

The book itself is also historically interesting. The White Tower was one of the prominent American bestsellers of 1945, appearing high on the New York Times fiction list during the year.

For collectors, this copy has several desirable characteristics:

• Original 1945 U.S. edition
• Second Impression
• Original Lippincott hardcover
• 479-page complete text
• Beautiful illustrated endpapers
• Classic mountaineering/adventure subject
• Wartime-era publication
• No ISBN, as expected for a 1945 book
• Distinctive vintage cloth binding

It would look particularly good in a vintage book collection, cabin or mountain-themed library, study, bookshelf, lodge-inspired room, or collection of classic adventure literature.

Shipping: This is a vintage hardcover book with an older cloth binding and a fragile upper spine area. It will be packaged carefully to help protect the spine, corners, boards, and illustrated endpapers during transit.

It will be shipped securely in protective packaging to help prevent bending, scuffing, abrasion, or additional damage during transit.

Because of the age and condition of the binding, the book should be handled gently when opening and removing it from its packaging.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout and are paid by the buyer.

One of a kind. Once this Ugly Duckling finds its new home, it's gone.